In recent years, with China’s economic rise and growing global influence, more foreigners are taking up Chinese. But what exactly are the benefits of learning Chinese? Recently, an American high schooler published an article in a local newspaper detailing the advantages, with the key point being that “learning Chinese makes them more competitive.”
The student, Lauren Griganavicius, lives in Park City, a town in Summit County, Utah. Writing in The Park Record, Lauren noted that Park City has a tradition of learning Chinese. Related articles in The Park Record, such as “Park City Students Enthusiastic About Learning Chinese” and “Park City High Schoolers Join China Exchange Programs,” can be found online. Among all second-language options, Chinese offers the best opportunities because it’s one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
The article explains that learning Chinese opens doors to careers in international business, manufacturing, technology, and diplomacy, especially in countries with strong economic ties to China, particularly emerging markets. As China’s influence in economics and technology continues to grow, Chinese proficiency is becoming increasingly valuable in the global job market. Since relatively few Western professionals speak Chinese, those who do have a unique competitive edge.
Screenshot of The Park Record website
The article also highlights that learning Chinese boosts cognitive skills. Compared to English, Chinese’s tonal nature and complex writing system challenge the brain. Additionally, studying Chinese exposes learners to Chinese literature, history, and modern media, offering perspectives often lost in translation. Beyond that, speaking Chinese enhances travel experiences in China and other Chinese-speaking regions like Singapore, allowing for deeper engagement with local culture and traditions. Learning Chinese also opens up more opportunities for international exchange programs and educational travel, fostering skills beyond the classroom.
